Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ranked first among the busiest airports in the world in 2024 with 108 million passengers and has held that position for a quarter of a century.
Known for its exceptional features and services, Dubai’s airport is ranked second globally with 92 million passengers, mainly due to its strategic location between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
According to Visual Capitalist, in 2024, global air travel reached 9.5 billion passengers, five billion more than in 2021, and together, the top 10 busiest airports transported 855 million passengers (9% of global traffic).
Although the number of passengers traveling by air has surpassed records prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges such as staff shortages, technological outages, and plane crashes remain.
Ranked first on the list, Atlanta International Airport in the United States serves as a linking hub for domestic and international travelers due to its position between North America, Europe, and Latin America.
Between 2019 and 2024, Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, rose from 28th to 7th place in the annual rankings by Airports Council International.
China’s Shanghai Pudong International Airport rose from 21st in 2023 to number 10 in 2024, showing its rapid growth.
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